Steelworkers Grant Strike Authorization at ArcelorMittal

Negotiations Proceed as Contract Expiration Nears

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers (USW)
said that union members who attended meetings held by each of the local unions
representing over 14,000 hourly production, maintenance, office and technical
workers at ArcelorMittal facilities throughout the country today voted to
support their Bargaining Committee by giving them the authority to call a
strike against the company should that become necessary.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080131/DC12982LOGO )

The current labor agreement between the USW and ArcelorMittal USA expires
Sept. 1, 2008. The two sides have been negotiating since April and will
continue to meet through the weekend if necessary.

"Our members and retirees have earned a fair and equitable contract through
years of hard work, sacrifice and uncertainty," said USW District 1 Director
David McCall, who chairs the USW's ArcelorMittal negotiating committee.

"Today's vote of total support shows that the same spirit of unity and
solidarity that saved the steel industry in North America and created the
profitability now enjoyed by the companies is still alive and well in the men
and women we represent."

The union said that the major issues still unresolved include concerns related
to economic security, employment security and retirement security.

McCall reiterated that the USW committee is dedicated to reaching a fair
contract at the bargaining table before the current one expires.

The USW represents 850,000 workers in the United States and Canada employed in
the metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and other industries as
well as the service and public sectors.

CONTACT: Tony Montana (USW) 216-308-4798

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Tony Montana of USW, +1-216-308-4798